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Home and Garden > Cleaning > Kitchen on May 16, 2012

Cleaning Wood Cabinets

Wood Kitchen CabinetsFinding the best method to clean and protect wood cabinets can be a challenge. This guide is about cleaning wood cabinets.
     

Solutions: Cleaning Wood Cabinets

Read and rate the best solutions below by giving them a "thumbs up".

Wood Cabinet Cleaner

Removes grease and dirt without harming the wood.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 4 Tbsp. white vinegar
  • 1 qt. warm water
  • 2 qt. container with lid
  • 2 soft cloths

Directions:

Put all of the ingredients in the container and shake it until the contents are mixed. Then to use, dampen a soft cloth with some of the mixture and wipe down the cabinets. Dry them with a clean cloth.

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Questions

Here are questions related to Cleaning Wood Cabinets.

Cleaning Grease Off Wood Cabinets

What way is best to clean wood cabinets with grease buildup on them?

By Barbara from Taylorsville, MS

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Most Recent Answer

By SeptBlueMusic 03/27/2012

I just bought an older house and the wooden kitchen cabinets were filthy. I tried everything recommended but nothing worked. Then a friend of mine, who cleans college housing, told me to use amonia and hot water.

I bought a cheap jug of lemon ammonia at Wal-mart, mixed it strong with hot water, (wear a mask and gloves) and started wiping down cabinets and drawers. It was strong, but it worked and the wood looks beautiful. Hope this helps.

Cleaning Polished Wood Cabinet Doors

My kitchen cabinets are a natural wood finish and sometimes some stuff spills on to the cabinet doors. When I try to clean them with water they do not fully come clean. These surfaces have a wood polish and I do not want to rub them too hard. I clean them with a wet wipe but am afraid to scrub too hard as the surface does not look the same. Please advise.

Little Princess from Toronto

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Most Recent Answer

By Glenn'sMom 01/30/2009

Have you tried Murphy's Oil soap?

Removing an Unknown Odor from Wood Cabinets

Our house has oak cabinets in the kitchen. It is not particle board. There is a strange smell like "old" wood if that makes sense, coming from all the cabinets. It doesn't smell like mildew and I've checked the flooring below and it's fine, no signs of water damage. Any ideas to clean this or get rid of the smell?

By Anna from WI

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Most Recent Answer

By wildmint 09/23/2010

I had the same problem and I sprinkled baking soda on the floor of the cabinets and left it there for a month or more. You can wipe it out and add more if you still notice the smell. After that treatment if you still have a smell, paint or varnish the interior of the cabinet.

Cleaning Wood Veneer Cabinets

How can I clean wood veneer kitchen cabinets?

Marcia

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Most Recent Answer

By Glenn'sMom 02/05/2009

You can use Murphy's Oil Soap.

Cleaning Build Up on Cabinets

My cabinets have stains, grit, and dirt build up over 30 years. How do I remove it without stripping the cabinets?

By Tammy

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Most Recent Answer

By fuzzytufts 10/10/2012

I use Murphy's oil soap on my cabinets but if that is too much work at this stage you might try paint thinner. Try it in a small out of the way spot then proceed from there. Happy cleaning!

Cleaning Wood Kitchen Cabinets

What is best product for cleaning wood kitchen cabinets? They are 50 yrs old and never painted. They were sanded, stained honey oak, and lightly buffed with oil about 15 yrs ago.

By pearson777 from Riverside, CA

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Archives

Here are archived discussions related to this page.

Cleaning Grease Off Kitchen Cabinets

I'm trying to clean the grease off my wooden kitchen cabinets, what can i use that won't harm the wood.

Joe from Pittsburgh

Answers:
RE: Cleaning Grease Off Kitchen Cabinets 02/23/2006
I clean houses on weekends and have found that 409 works really well. Old English makes a spray cleaner/polish for furniture and it will make the cabinets look new again! It's in a spray can like the other furniture polish, not an oil.
By suzi_homemaker01 (Guest Post)
RE: Cleaning Grease Off Kitchen Cabinets 02/24/2006
Orange Glo works well, They also have a wood restorer that is very simple to use for evey few months.
By the Oracle
RE: Cleaning Grease Off Kitchen Cabinets 02/24/2006
Full Strength Simple Green! I am a professional cleaner and I have tried them all. Simple Green is the best and least harmful to you and the environment.
By Vicky (Guest Post)
RE: Cleaning Grease Off Kitchen Cabinets 02/25/2006
Thank you for the idea of using goo gone, I have been cleaning for years and would not of thought of that I will now.
By gabbiejanice
RE: Cleaning Grease Off Kitchen Cabinets 02/25/2006
I will try the goo gone which I already have, but I'll test a small area. My cabinets are solid cherry, finished as furniture. I don't want to ruin that.

Jennifer
Northern Virginia

By ILuvDobes


Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

Can anyone tell me how to get grease off wood cabinets and stainless steel? Also, how to clean hardwood kitchen flooring?

Shirleybell from Indian Trail, NC


RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

For a quick fix: Murphy's oil soap! (04/26/2006)

By camo_angels

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

I had the same problem in a trailer I moved into & after using AWSOME CLEANER from dollar tree Had it clean enough to paint. (04/26/2006)

By Randa Wagner

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

The best thing I've found for getting grease off of any surface is "Greased Lightning". I buy it at Home Depot. My stove has a black glass panel on the top and this shines it up real nice. And, I just did all of my wood cabinets and they look great. Just spray it on, let sit for a minute, wash off with clear water. Works great! (04/26/2006)

By sjackie2000

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

We just moved into an old farmhouse. The cabinets were stained dark with grease. I used Dawn dish soap in warm water. It worked better than any other cleaner I tried. (04/27/2006)

By Dacia in Iowa


Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

How do you remove old hard grease splatters from kitchen cabinets. They are maple hardwood.

Thank you,
Debbie from South Amboy, NJ


RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

Good old fashioned lemon oil. It takes soap scum off the toughest shower door, but is gentle enough for the most expensive wood work. (09/22/2006)

By CarlaJS

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

My husband always uses denatured alcohol to clean wood with build up of dirt,grease etc. Here is an excerpt from an article on restoring old furniture. Be careful don't ruin the finish. "If detergent cleaning doesn't work, use a solvent (depending on the type of finish) to clean the wood. Solvent cleaning is the last resort to consider because it may damage the finish. Use mineral spirits or turpentine on any finish; use denatured alcohol on varnish or lacquer. Do not use alcohol on shellac or on a shellac/lacquer mixture. Working in a well-ventilated area (outdoors is best)apply the solvent with a rough cloth, such as burlap or an old towel. Then wipe the wood clean with another cloth. Finally, apply a commercial cleaner/conditioner, and buff the wood lightly." (09/24/2006)

By TC in MO

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

I cleaned my good 15 year old pine cabinets with 409, which also took off the finish. That was fine with me. I urethaned them with satin finish and they have lasted me for 30 years. Then I moved. At first I was unhappy about the finish removal, but on better thought and with my mother's input, we decided it was best in the long run. It certainly was! Good luck (09/30/2006)

By 2oma

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

I'm looking for something to clean up my dark wood kitchen cabinets. They have drops of paint on them from where the ceiling was repainted. When I put a cleaner on them they are sticky and my rag seems to get stuck and makes it hard to clean the cabinets. Any suggestions (10/28/2006)

By stacy

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

I tried most of the reader suggestions (except for the ones that will remove the finish) and the best by far was the spray bottle version of Murphy's Oil Soap. (11/12/2006)

By Pris

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

My cabinets are at least 25 years old I have been reading several of the responses about cleaning built up grease. Do any of these suggestions work on cabinets that old with that much built up. (03/09/2007)

By Margaret

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

Margaret, my kitchen cabinets are 50 years old! I recently decided to paint them and used Greased Lightning on them. Oh my, the gunk that came off of those cabinets! I can't tell you though, really, if it harmed the finish of the cabinets; being 50 year old stained plywood doors they didn't have much of a "finish" to start with! You could try the Greased Lightning and maybe even one of the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers on an inconspicuous spot on your cabinetry to see how it works for you. (03/09/2007)

By Persnickety Paula

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

I was very surprised to find out how quick and easy it was to cut through grease build up on appliances such as stove tops, vent-a-hood, refrigerators, and wooden kitchen cabinets and vinyl flooring by using Spray N Wash straight from the can. I sprayed it on and let it set a few seconds then took a damp sponge and the surfaces were squeaky clean. Inexpensive product and not harsh on the surfaces. Give it a try - you won't even have to use much elbow grease to remove the grease build up with spray n wash. (03/16/2008)

By Lisa

RE: Cleaning Grease off Cherry Wood Cabinets

I have tried cleaning my beautiful dark Cherry Kitchen cabinets of fingerprints and grease. So far I have found nothing that works. I have used numerous products and nothing has worked. I know there has to be something that cleans them. Can someone help me, please? I don't want to use dish soap and any old spray as it dries out the wood. I need something that CLEANS, and still leaves the luster with no dryness afterwards. Thank you so much for any help. (06/19/2008)

By Annie

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

The answer is to try to keep the grease from building up on your kitchen cabinets after you have cleaned them with the ideas you have received. An outside vent prevents the grease from building up on your cabinets. If you do not have one, it is worth having one installed, and use it when cooking! (07/22/2008)

By Sue

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

Ok, here goes.

I read all the suggestions and I thank you folks for taking the time to post them. Then I tried my own formula. I had tried the special sprays, bleach, lemon, vinegar and the degreasers, without much luck.

I have old badly painted white wooden cabinets that were caked with cooking grease/oils. I asked myself, "What do I have that cuts grease?" Well, my eyes landed on the Dawn on my sink. Well, that's what I use for my dishes so why not give it a try. So, I got some microfiber cloths, a scrubby sponge, and the Dawn.

I set up a basin of vinegar water to rinse with, because I knew it would cut the soap. I put some Dawn on the sponge full strength, worked it into a foam and applied, it doesn't run this way either. I used the back of the sponge to work the lather around, rubbing when needed.

I let it sit for a minute then I rinsed with a microfiber cloth with the vinegar water, rubbing when needed. Do a final rinse to clean the vinegar away. Worked better than anything that I have seen. It takes some time, but, no chemical fumes. I plan on washing down the cabinets at least once a week with a good cleaning once a month. Hopefully this will prevent that build up again. Hope this helps. (07/22/2008)

By joann2008

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

You might want to try a magic eraser by Mr. Clean . These take the grease off of everything with plain water. (07/22/2008)

By twinkies

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

Did anyone find out if Goo Gone takes the finish off? I have a new kitchen (about 6 years) and even though I have a microwave/fan, it just isn't strong enough to vent properly. Anyway, even though I don't fry much, the cabinets above and to the side of my stove have grease that I haven't had any success removing. I've tried Murphy's Oil Soap and it did absolutely nothing. I'm afraid that anything harsh will take off the finish. I see lots of suggestions, but only a few mention about what it might do to the finish. Any other suggestions? (08/12/2008)

By Madeline from Fresh Meadows

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

Mix 3 tablespoons turpentine to 2 cups very hot water (you must wear gloves). It is important to keep the solution very hot. I tried one of those dry erasers and it took took the natural shine of my cherry cabinets off. (09/28/2008)

By Dee

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

I needed a way to remove the grease build up from the tops of my cabinet doors, and also from the grooves around the trim. I used Shout gel with the scrubber top and it did a wonderful job. I rubbed it on the problem areas, waited a few minutes, then wiped with a damp cloth. (10/21/2008)

By lisanc

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

I have a kitchen full of lovely cherry cabinets, now 8 years old. I've had good luck using what the builder strongly recommended, Guardsman Furniture Polish Cream. I dilute it, 4 parts water to 1 part Guardsman, and put it in a spray bottle. I spray a microfiber dishcloth (way cheap at Walmart) with this solution and clean away. No need to polish after it dries.

My cabinets have a decorative bead surrounding the insert and the spray will get stuck in those grooves if I spray the wood directly. So I spray the cloth instead. I only work on cabinets were I can see the dirt well. As the light moves around my kitchen, I pick another one to clean. The cabinets below the counters take the most abuse and need cleaning more often than those above.

The microfiber cloth alone works well for a quick dusting. (11/15/2008)

By mwlowder

RE: Cleaning Grease off Wood Cabinets

In response to cleaning stainless steel: this may sound unusual, but Pledge yes regular Pledge in the yellow can works terrific. When I had my kitchen done, I bought all the expensive wipes and creams and polishes for stainless steel only to find that they all left a streaky mess. Use a microfiber cloth and either spray the appliance or cloth and just wipe. I find it works great on my stove top as well. Try it, you'll be amazed and no streaks. (02/04/2009)

By Debbie P. LI


Cleaning Grease Off Wood Cabinets

I have a vent hood and a kitchen full of wood cabinets and drawers that have polyurethane on them. The grease has accumulated over the years and I searched here for answers. I didn't have anything on hand that was suggested, but I did have a product that I buy at the Dollar Store that is called "Totally Awesome". It's super cheap and I use it on all sorts of things as a general cleaner. I thought what the heck and I sprayed it on and let it sit for about 2 minutes. I was amazed at how it performed. My wood looks so good. I am now going out to buy another bottle.

By DVK from Pasadena, TX


RE: Cleaning Grease Off Wood Cabinets

If you are looking for Totally Awesome, both our Dollar Tree and Family Dollar store carries it. (07/21/2009)

By IamDodo


Cleaning Grease Off Wood Cabinets

How do you clean grease off of oak kitchen cabinets?

By steve123 from MD


RE: Cleaning Grease Off Wood Cabinets

Fantastik spray works great for this. (09/18/2009)

By mrowe

RE: Cleaning Grease Off Wood Cabinets

Vinegar will do the job, good luck. (09/19/2009)

By kffrmw88

RE: Cleaning Grease Off Wood Cabinets

I recently moved into an apartment that was built in the mid 80s. Not sure if these are the original cabinets but they were pretty disgusting. I used Murphy's Oil soap (w/hot water) and good old fashioned elbow grease.

In some cases I had to use the rough side of a non-scratch sponge, but light enough so as not to damage the finish. (09/19/2009)

By COflower

RE: Cleaning Grease Off Wood Cabinets

You can clean the cabinets with a product called TSP. You can get it at Home Depot or Lowe's. It works great. (09/22/2009)

By alomagene

RE: Cleaning Grease Off Wood Cabinets

I agree with COflower, we just cleaned ours and it works great. We have been told to use Scots Liquid Gold next, as it will cover small blemishes. (09/22/2009)

By antique person


Cleaning Grease Off Wood Cabinets

How do I get grease off old, stained wood kitchen cabinets?


Cleaning Grease Off Wood Cabinets

I have greasy and sticky finger stains on wood cabinets.


Cleaning Grease Off Wood Cabinets

What is the best product to use, when trying to clean kitchen cabinets (wood stained) with grease build up? I need something I can use without damaging stain finish or sealer on the cabinets.


Cleaning Grease Off Wood Cabinets

What is the best thing to clean grease off of wood cupboards?


Cleaning Grease Off Wood Cabinets

What is good for cleaning greasy wood cabinets?


Cleaning Grease Off Wood Cabinets

How do you get the sticky substances off of the wood on the chair railing? On top of the cabinets I lay newspapers and just change when needed, but I can not do it with the chair railing.

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